Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today spoke at the Annual Membership Meeting of Texas Taxpayers and Research Association about what the Office of the Attorney General is doing to protect taxpayers across the state.
“It’s always been my philosophy that people do more good with their own money than they do by giving it to the government,” Attorney General Paxton said. “Texans agree, which is one of the main reasons our state is at the national forefront in terms of economy and job creation. It’s also why it’s so important that we protect the laws and policies we’ve put in place over the years.”
Attorney General Paxton discussed ongoing issues, including the school finance case currently before the Texas Supreme Court.
“Opponents of Texas policy want to use the courts as legislative do-overs where they can try to accomplish what they couldn’t accomplish during the session,” Attorney General Paxton said. “It’s a never-ending cycle of perpetual litigation and as the attorney general, it’s my responsibility to fight back.
He also discussed the state’s intervention in a lawsuit Thursday involving the City of Austin’s attempt to raise property taxes on its citizens by challenging state tax policy without input from lawmakers or taxpayers. For years, taxing authorities have tried to get the Legislature to repeal the non-disclosure law, without success. They are now attempting to pursue a tax grab through the courts.
“Austin is convinced that the property that people own is worth a lot more than the city can prove,” Attorney General Paxton said. “So they want to make it a requirement that property owners disclose all of their personal information regarding purchases and sales. Doing so would expose every property owner in Texas to higher property taxes.”
A district court barred Texas homeowners from intervening in the lawsuit. Because the city is attempting to rewrite Texas tax law and taxpayers are entirely unrepresented, the Texas Attorney General’s Office is asking to intervene.